Winter bikes: do you really need one?
We investigate whether a dedicated bike for the colder season is a necessity or a luxury, and ask do you really need a winter bike?
Tech question
Cycling Weekly sets out to answer questions surrounding trends – new and old – in the world of cycling.
Our writers pose the question and set out the background information on the chosen theme and then with the help of experts – one for and one against – aim to help readers and riders better understand each topic.
From the advantages of different tyres widths to the pros and cons of certain clothing choices, the articles below shed light on some of the things you might hear your clubmates talking about at the weekend.
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Wet or dry: which chain lube should you use?
We get to grips with the slippery subject of choosing a chain lube
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Are handbuilt wheels still worth buying?
Simon Smythe weighs up the pros and cons of getting your hoops made to order
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Is your bike set-up too aggressive?
We can’t all be Geraint Thomas, so should we have a bike like his, asks Simon Smythe
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Should you have float in your cleats?
We find out which type of cleats should be bolted to your shoes, and whether or not you should have float
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Are stiffer soles better?
Is there more to a good cycling shoe than a super-stiff sole? James Bracey investigates…
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Tubeless tyres: are you doing it properly?
Tubeless guru Malcolm Borg of The Cycle Clinic is a wheelbuilder and long-distance cyclist. This is his guide to throwing away your inner tubes
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Will 13-speed save 1x on the road?
There may still be a place for 1x in the pro peloton
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Has dropping the 3:1 rule made any difference to bike design?
It’s over two years since the UCI quietly scrapped its 3:1 rule for frame tube profiles. So what’s changed since?
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Why don’t the pros use tubeless tyres?
They may be bombproof but tubeless tyres have yet to catch on in the ranks of the pro peloton; Simon Smythe asks why
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Should the UCI relax its bike rules?
Simon Smythe reflects on the regulatory inertia that some say is stifling innovation in bike design
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What’s the best tread pattern for winter?
With rain, frost and a heightened amount of detritus now decking the lanes, Simon Smythe researches the right rubber for winter riding
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Do you need a smart turbo trainer?
Thanks to interactive apps, the days of staring at a garage wall are gone; but how much do you need to spend to get the most out of turbo training?
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Should you change to winter tyres?
Changing to puncture-resistant tyres for the winter used to be standard practice but better rubber means it’s no longer a necessity
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Are single-ring chainsets the future?
Could the simplicity and low weight of a 1x set-up outweight its flaws? Quieter, more secure, lighter — these are just some of the praises our dirt-riding brethren have been singing about single-ring set-ups.
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Should you cycle with earphones in?
Listening to music while riding is controversial but the evidence regarding safety cuts both ways and a favourite tune can boost performance
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Should you always ride with data?
We ruminate on riding against the machine: should we use data all the time when cycling?
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Is 'women's specific geometry' still relevant in 2019?
Brands will always have data to back up the bikes they make - but what trends do those building bikes for individuals see?
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Do you need a clutch rear derailleur?
Simon Smythe wonders whether road riders need to avoid chain slap in the same way mountain bikers do
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Is the compact chainset dead?
With incredibly broad cassette ranges with larger gears now the norm, we ponder the future of compact chainsets
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Do we need 12-speed groupsets?
Will yet another extra sprocket make us better cyclists? We look at the possibility of 12-speed groupsets on road bikes, and the benefits they could offer.
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Hands together or hands apart: what’s faster?
Optimising aerodynamics is a trade-off between perfection and real-world versatility
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Should you hire a bike or take your own when you go abroad?
Travelling with a bike is a faff, and with many destinations offering hire options, it’s never been easier to outsource your holiday machine
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Does my tyre compound matter?
The lengths manufacturers go to to perfect their rubber suggest there is more to tyre make-up than meets the eye
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Aero road helmets: can they make you faster?
Aero road helmet: The latest wind-cheating lids are a common sight in the pro peloton - but does the everyday rider need one?
